[Onward2wards]

If there are three things I have learned to truly dislike in this world, they are sheeplike tribal groupthink, a stubborn rejection of basic empathy, and "might makes right" authoritarianism (for lack of a better description). These days, I strongly get the impression that these are the values the world now holds most dear! I never thought I'd see the world turn MORE into the kind of place where cults, radicalism, gangs, dictatorships and unproductive conflicts can thrive. We're DEvolving, not Evolving.

I have always strived to develop good boundaries, to understand people, to be kind, to do the right thing, and also to think for myself. Why am I beginning to feel like a social heretic in the times of the Inquisition? If this is what the world wants, I want no part of it. If fitting in means abandoning your values just to keep others pleased, to bow down before the tyranny of the majority wherever you may be, whatever you may think, well to heck with it all!

A sense of anomie is painful to deal with. I'm dealing with enough problems and disappointments at this stage of life, and now this too? How do you even begin to cope? Especially if, like me, assertiveness does not come easily.

Then again, in recent years I have been dealing with growing loneliness and regrets of things I never had the courage to do. Maybe that is amplifying my fears, I am open to that possibility as well.

[Onward2wards]

I know that rationally, I am not the only person to feel this way, by any means. Sometimes though I feel very much that I am. Perhaps I need to expand my social life, but my experience has been it isn't easy. And yet, I see others who don't seem to have that issue at all! Just makes me feel like some "weirdo" who needs to stay out of history's way at times; forever the odd one out. (That is a very, very old and familiar feeling).

[Nammu]

No you're not alone.

[Artchic528]

I completely understand what you are saying, and not only that, I completely empathize with it. I just can't wrap my head around why there is so much hatred in the world going on under the pretense of love for all. It's basically saying, you can only achieve our love and acceptance if you fit neatly into a certain category and follow our rules to a T. Why can't everyone be allowed to be loved and accepted for who they are?

This is why I follow my belief system. We as a whole don't discriminate, deter or detriment anyone for ANY reason whatsoever, for wanting to achieve further enlightenment (and I mean the kind with no strings or conditions attached), or simply a sense of acceptance and community. We accept anyone and everyone with that goal in mind and won't turn anyone away from having a sense of love, acceptance and community.

But that's only a part of who we are. We fight for the underdog, the downtrodden, those who have no one else to turn to. We are fighting for everyone's basic civil liberties and rights. I'm mainly speaking about the US, but our fight doesn't even stop there. We do work for those abroad who would otherwise not receive it. Last I heard, there was a project going on in rural parts of South America that gave ownership of farmland and crops to women so that they could be prosperous, strong and in control of their own lives.

Our community doesn't discriminate for ANY reason whatsoever. Not on creed, sexuality, gender identity, appearance, or disability of any kind. We love everyone for who they are and offer them acceptance and guidance and fellowship. It's something a lot of people seem to forget, but everyone should be doing. We do it because it's basic civil decency.

We welcome exploration and questioning as our children grow and mature and learn more about the world around them. We don't condemn, demand unquestioning loyalty under certain circumstances, or condone silencing anyone. Everyone is free to use their voice and express their mind and heart. If you want to offer unquestioning loyalty, then that's okay, we won't discriminate based on that, but we not only offer the opportunity to question, we encourage it, and that's okay too.

Love should be readily available to all as they are, love and acceptance for WHO you are, WHO you were born into this world as, no matter who you love, what gender you associate yourself with, what color your skin is, what your spirituality is, what you're outward appearance may be, or what disabilities you may have. I am proud to be a member of my spiritual community, and wouldn't change this for anything in the world.